CHARLIE BATEMAN RHS 1978
Kenny Burns, of the Democrat News Staff, said the following of Charlie Bateman in the column, “Whatever Happened To….” in the February 12, 1997 issue of the Clay County Democrat: “In the fall of 1978 the old Rector High School (before the days of CCC) graduated one of its all time great high school basketball superstars, Charlie Bateman…Many Blackcat fans from back then still remember how Charlie dominated the floor at high school basketball games during late ‘70s.”
Coach Kelly Scobey said the following of Charlie Bateman: “If you are a high school basketball fan and you missed seeing Charlie Bateman play, you missed a treat. Charlie was a fierce competitor who always gave 110% in a game and also in practice. Charlie was the only player I ever coached who I didn’t want to block out while rebounding; I just wanted him to get the basketball. He thought every rebound or loose ball belonged to him alone.”
Charlie lettered in basketball in 1976, 1977, and 1978.
In his junior year, Rector played a strong Tuckerman team (26-6) in the regional tournament to qualify for State. Charlie [at 6’ tall] led Rector to a win with 34 points and 28 rebounds. Scobey matter-of-factly said: “These stats are amazing, especially 28 rebounds”.
Also in his junior year, Rector won 27 consecutive games and finished with a 29-3 record and was ranked #1 in its classification for most of the season. Charlie’s team won the Arkansas College tournament that year and in addition, Charlie was named to the All-District team.
In his senior year, Charlie led his team in scoring, rebounding, and assists. His stats included 22 points per game and 16 rebounds per game. Rector went to the quarterfinals of the State tournament. Charlie was again named to the All-District team and also to the All-State team.
Some of Charlies more impressive stats, taken from newspaper write-ups include the following from his junior and senior years against the named opponent:
Oak Grove 41 points; 28 rebounds; 13 field goals; 15-19 free throws.
Hoxie 31 points; 3rd consecutive 30 point game; 3rd consecutive 20 rebound game; averaging over 20 ppg and
15 rebounds per game.
Highland 38 points; 24 rebounds; 16 points in the 4th quarter.
Oak Grove 31 points; 25 rebounds.
In 1978, Charlie was awarded a basketball scholarship to Southern Baptist College [now Williams Baptist College] where he played for two (2) years. In 1980 He was All-Conference (JUCO). He then transferred to Arkansas Tech where he played for one (1) year until injuries to the ligaments in both ankles.
Bateman graduated from Arkansas Tech in 1983 earning a BS in Health and Physical Education. He began his coaching career (28 years) at Bentonville Jr High. He has since coached at Danville and Warren. He is currently coaching at Texarkana (18 years). In 2014, Charlie was the North Heights Jr. High (Texarkana Arkansas School District) Teacher of the Year. In 1996, while coaching at Warren he was selected as “Coach of the Year” in AAAA. Over the years he has been head basketball coach of both boys and girls basketball teams at both the Senior high and Junior high levels. In addition, he has coached golf, tennis, soccer, football, and track.
Kenny Burns, of the Democrat News Staff, said the following of Charlie Bateman in the column, “Whatever Happened To….” in the February 12, 1997 issue of the Clay County Democrat: “In the fall of 1978 the old Rector High School (before the days of CCC) graduated one of its all time great high school basketball superstars, Charlie Bateman…Many Blackcat fans from back then still remember how Charlie dominated the floor at high school basketball games during late ‘70s.”
Coach Kelly Scobey said the following of Charlie Bateman: “If you are a high school basketball fan and you missed seeing Charlie Bateman play, you missed a treat. Charlie was a fierce competitor who always gave 110% in a game and also in practice. Charlie was the only player I ever coached who I didn’t want to block out while rebounding; I just wanted him to get the basketball. He thought every rebound or loose ball belonged to him alone.”
Charlie lettered in basketball in 1976, 1977, and 1978.
In his junior year, Rector played a strong Tuckerman team (26-6) in the regional tournament to qualify for State. Charlie [at 6’ tall] led Rector to a win with 34 points and 28 rebounds. Scobey matter-of-factly said: “These stats are amazing, especially 28 rebounds”.
Also in his junior year, Rector won 27 consecutive games and finished with a 29-3 record and was ranked #1 in its classification for most of the season. Charlie’s team won the Arkansas College tournament that year and in addition, Charlie was named to the All-District team.
In his senior year, Charlie led his team in scoring, rebounding, and assists. His stats included 22 points per game and 16 rebounds per game. Rector went to the quarterfinals of the State tournament. Charlie was again named to the All-District team and also to the All-State team.
Some of Charlies more impressive stats, taken from newspaper write-ups include the following from his junior and senior years against the named opponent:
Oak Grove 41 points; 28 rebounds; 13 field goals; 15-19 free throws.
Hoxie 31 points; 3rd consecutive 30 point game; 3rd consecutive 20 rebound game; averaging over 20 ppg and
15 rebounds per game.
Highland 38 points; 24 rebounds; 16 points in the 4th quarter.
Oak Grove 31 points; 25 rebounds.
In 1978, Charlie was awarded a basketball scholarship to Southern Baptist College [now Williams Baptist College] where he played for two (2) years. In 1980 He was All-Conference (JUCO). He then transferred to Arkansas Tech where he played for one (1) year until injuries to the ligaments in both ankles.
Bateman graduated from Arkansas Tech in 1983 earning a BS in Health and Physical Education. He began his coaching career (28 years) at Bentonville Jr High. He has since coached at Danville and Warren. He is currently coaching at Texarkana (18 years). In 2014, Charlie was the North Heights Jr. High (Texarkana Arkansas School District) Teacher of the Year. In 1996, while coaching at Warren he was selected as “Coach of the Year” in AAAA. Over the years he has been head basketball coach of both boys and girls basketball teams at both the Senior high and Junior high levels. In addition, he has coached golf, tennis, soccer, football, and track.